Again no freshly brewed coffee to start the day. Only lukewarm water comes out of the instantaneous water heater. Messages cannot be retrieved because the mobile network is not working.

Good morning, Cape Town!

I drive to my office downtown, there should be electricity there. The traffic is backing up, the traffic lights are out. Unfortunately, the café opposite the office building doesn't have a cappuccino either. "Blackout," says the barrista. I climb the five floors to my office, the risk of getting stuck in the elevator is too high. Good thing my laptop is fully charged, otherwise you wouldn't be able to read these lines.

Access to all STERN PLUS content and articles from the print magazine

ad-free

Already registered?